Off-Road Driving shoes

[Scott Brady]

I went in search of a comfortable all-terrain driving shoe. Since my days on the track, I have appreciated a narrower, form fitting shoe for driving control, but none existed suitable for much time out of the vehicle, or if conditions were poor (mud, sand, rocks, rain, etc.).

I have found it:

Merrell Chameleon II, Gore-tex XCR (http://www.merrell.com/Shop/Detail.aspx?NavID=FT-O-CHM&PID=-1)
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0008EHSPS.01-A19SPSQYVVF9LJ._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

narrow foot and lack of huge lugs to catch the pedals. Then all of the characteristics of a trail runner with decent heel strike padding, plastic shank, vibram sole, etc.

I will report back to how they do this weekend, and if they will make the bag for Morocco

[Nullifier]

I got some while I was in Oz last august. They are super comfy because of the vibram sole. I'm really particular about footwear scott and those are great. They do not move at all when on your feet and with the bungie cord lacing you do not have to worry about laces failing. You might want to consider some type of neo bootie for sections that are going to have alot of H20 since those merrels will take forever to dry out. NRS has some nice ones.

[Scott Brady]

Great idea on the booties. They supposed to be waterproof, but being a low top, you cant get very deep.

[CLynn85]

Nice find! I always find it annoying when I go to hop in the truck for an outing and put on my boots thinking how much easier it is to drive with tennis shoes. Will definately look into a lower-waterproof hiking shoe like that. One thing I like about my boots though, is that due to a lack of a cruise-control, the heavier my boot the less I have to push down on the skinny pedal on the highways.

[cshontz]

Cool thread, Scott! I've been wearing these for the past couple years - except a previous generation, and mine are tan in color. These are the best shoes I've ever owned for all-around doing stuff - including off-road adventure. I'll probably get them again.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0009BGX0G.01-A3UCC8ULL18KE5._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

:p

http://static.flickr.com/42/93109188_7ab186acf8.jpg

[flyingwil]

Scott do you recall the Keen brand shoe's name we were looking at while in REI?

Those are also a good recomendation. I think it was the Targhee:
http://www.keenfootwear.com/img/men/trailhead/Targhee/M_Targhee_SHDW_445.jpg

[articulate]

I went in search of a comfortable all-terrain driving shoe...I have found it:

I will report back to how they do this weekend, and if they will make the bag for Morocco
Well, I wonder if they'll sponsor a canyoneering trip? :ylsmoke: This pun is to obvious to pass up: Come on! Daddy needs a new pair of shoes!

[erin]

:coffee:
Scott i have been using a pair of those for about a year now, and am very happy with them. the only problem i have had is with the foot beds sliding reward, allowing my toes to overhang in the front. kinda irritating, but I haven't called Merrill yet t rectify the problem. I may have damaged them on a pretty steep climb in Tahoe when they were brand new, not sure. As a driving shoe, they do work very well, not haning up on pedals at all.

[Nullifier]

Scott I use these for mucking around the mud down here. They stay on well and have good solid sole not to agressive.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2335&deptid=1169

[flywgn]

Dang, you mean besides making decisions about what mods I add to the F250, the Xterra, or the Toy, I have to think about what boots I'm wearing.

What can I say? For over eight years these beauties you see below have been my constant companions from the Arctic Circle to the Tropic of Cancer; from the Cape of Good Hope to the Tropic of Capricorn. They've carried me to remote trout streams in much of the western north American continent and worked the pedals of numerous off-highway machines...including a D-6 Cat. They've stood beneath me quietly while I pulled the trigger on my 20ga and never complained when we didn't move often enough to retrieve fowl.

They've spent as much time in contact with granite and limestone as they have with sand and never resisted or acquired any malady from the occasional baptism in mud and slime.

While some might be worried about "never leaving home without" a small piece of plastic with a magnetic strip on the back, I don't leave home without these friends.

I've fed them well and have rewarded them with new soles twice. In return they've served me well and I see no reason to replace them at this point. In fact, at the rate they're going, they will probably outlast the body they're supporting.
:arabia:

P.S. Oh yeah, I've replaced the laces a few times.

[gcec]

Well, you'll all think I'm crazy, but these have been the absolutely best boots I've ever worn:

Chippewa 27422 (http://www.chippewaboots.com/boots/searchdefault.asp?id=27422) - available with lug soles, or "Test Pilot" soles from flightsuits.com (http://www.flightsuits.com/equip_boot_leather.html)

I know "everyone" is into all the new tech materials :confused: but I still favour natural fibres to synthetic; cotton t-shirts, wool sweaters, leather footwear.

I look at footwear as protection plating for my feet ;) and it must; have ankle support, be :campfire: friendly, oil\acid\petrol\:beer: resistant, waterproof, puncture resistant sole, steel toe preferred, and maintain a decent appearance through their lifetime..

[flywgn]

...
I know "everyone" is into all the new tech materials :confused: but I still favour natural fibres to synthetic; cotton t-shirts, wool sweaters, leather footwear.

I look at footwear as protection plating for my feet ;) and it must; have ankle support, be :campfire: friendly, oil\acid\petrol\:beer: resistant, waterproof, puncture resistant sole, steel toe preferred, and maintain a decent appearance through their lifetime..

Attaboy, gc, "You da man!" Couldn't agree more, ergo my previous post, which, not incidentally, was not meant to be tongue-in-cheek.

P.S. Scott, just how did this topic end up in "General Vehicle Modifications"? Do you affix your shoes/boots to the pedals???? :)

[Desertdude]

Great minds think alike - I was just down in PH at sportsmans warehouse and picked out those Merrells :shakin:

I have always been a fan of the company and have burned through many a pair

[goodtimes]

I've had Merrell's in the past...they weren't for me. They stuck to the rocks pretty well (until the rocks were wet), and were moderately comfortable...but the either the heel is too big, or the toe box is too small for me, so they never performed that well out in the dirt.

So, I was very happy to find out that Summit Hut is carrying Montrails again. My personal favorite is the Fusion Comp., I pretty much live in them. From banging around town, to working, to backpacking, they are my all around - do anything boot. They fit my foot better than any other boot I have tried (and I have tried quite a few), and stick pretty darn good to rocks, both wet and dry. The only "problem" I have found with them is that they wear quickly for day to day use. This is a side effect of the soft compound used for the tread (the same thing that makes them stick to rocks so well). Next time your shopping for boots, try a pair on....

[Willman]

When i go out...I love to take it all off!!! :Wow1:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/nicwillman/DSC01155.jpg

lol....Boy do i need a tan!!! Don't see much of the sun here in Seattle!!!

[OldSven]

:shakin: Wow I can smell those from here!!! I guess in our neck of the woods it all depends on how wet it is whether I go with shoes or boots:coffee:

[calamaridog]

I've had around 10 pairs of Merrel's over the last 10+ years in a variety of styles. I have always been satisfied with the construction, performance, and fit.

All shoes fit differently and are built upon different "Shoe Last", which is the design, volume, and shape the space inside the shoe takes. In other words, many well constructed shoes and boots will not fit you well because they don't fit your specific foot correctly.

[Scott Brady]

Scott do you recall the Keen brand shoe's name we were looking at while in REI?

Those are also a good recomendation. I think it was the Targhee:
http://www.keenfootwear.com/img/men/trailhead/Targhee/M_Targhee_SHDW_445.jpg

yep, that was them :)

I really liked that shoe as well, but to be more effective as a driving shoe, I wanted the lugs to be lower profile and the toe box to be narrower.

Keens are still my favorite warm weather / casual shoes

Zamberlan (http://www.zamberlan.com/)heavy hiking and mountaineering boots.

[Scott Brady]

Great minds think alike - I was just down in PH at sportsmans warehouse and picked out those Merrells :shakin:


How cool is that :)

[flyingwil]

Next thing you know we'll have an ExPo uniform where we all dress alike... like gang members.:ar15:

[Desertdude]

Scott it is too cool :D

Wil - Tacomas are there :bowdown:

[flyingwil]

Yup-
We got the vehicles covered... White and bad ***... now for our attire!

[DaveInDenver]

I prefer a good solid shoe for off road. I've dropped too many things, stepped oddly on too many rocks & branches, near enough snakes and mucked in enough mud and snow that I wear these:

http://www.redwingshoes.com/images/boots/large/4452.jpg

Redwing 4452, full grain leather 6" steel toes. Low enough cuff to drive and hike, enough boot to actually provide some protection and ankle support.

Of course, not being graced with A/C in my truck. :-( Once back on pavement, I go with these:

http://www.chacousa.com/Resources/img/product_images/mensZ2UnaweepAxum.jpg

[edgear]

Originally posted by DaveInDenver
Once back on pavement, I go with these:

http://www.chacousa.com/Resources/img/product_images/mensZ2UnaweepAxum.jpg

Those are definitely my favorite choice too, or these (but without the toe-strap):

http://www.chacousa.com/Resources/img/product_images/MensZongBlack.jpg

Living here in the desert, I wear sandals (Chacos/Tevas) the majority of the time, even when driving. Mostly a comfort thing. It seems like I can't "feel" the pedals as well when I'm wearing shoes as I do when I'm wearing sandals.

[Willman]

Next thing you know we'll have an ExPo uniform where we all dress alike... like gang members.:ar15:

Nice!!! We should get some stickers made up just like the real gangs post on the back of there lowriders!!!!!....maybe not.....But the sticker idea sounds cool!!

[BajaTaco]

Dang, you mean besides making decisions about what mods I add to the F250, the Xterra, or the Toy, I have to think about what boots I'm wearing.

What can I say? For over eight years these beauties you see below have been my constant companions from the Arctic Circle to the Tropic of Cancer; from the Cape of Good Hope to the Tropic of Capricorn. They've carried me to remote trout streams in much of the western north American continent and worked the pedals of numerous off-highway machines...including a D-6 Cat. They've stood beneath me quietly while I pulled the trigger on my 20ga and never complained when we didn't move often enough to retrieve fowl.

They've spent as much time in contact with granite and limestone as they have with sand and never resisted or acquired any malady from the occasional baptism in mud and slime.

While some might be worried about "never leaving home without" a small piece of plastic with a magnetic strip on the back, I don't leave home without these friends.

I've fed them well and have rewarded them with new soles twice. In return they've served me well and I see no reason to replace them at this point. In fact, at the rate they're going, they will probably outlast the body they're supporting.
:arabia:

P.S. Oh yeah, I've replaced the laces a few times.

All of that, and we don't get the make and model? BTW, very eloquent endorsement of your tootsie armor. Nice!

[jeffryscott]

after some recent soul searching, and bringing this thread back from the brink, I found an incredibly comfortable driving/camp shoe.

Croc's - the off-road model.

Fairly cheap, incredibly light, and best of all they are super comfortable. They provide a nice padded heel for the driving position I find myself in in the 4Runner, have enough tread that they are good for sandy areas, and a wide footbed so your feet aren't crowded.

They wouldn't hold up to lots of sharp rocks, but alas, at $39 or so they aren't too bad to replace.